Weekly Answers, Pt. 1
Check out the first batch of weekly answers...
1) Thoughts about the Wear twins and their impact next year if Lee and/or Honeycutt stay and with Nelson at power forward? - Anonymous
Next year or the year after? They have to redshirt next year because of transferring. If you mean 2011-12, I think they'll be valuable post presences off the bench, with the potential to start if they improve physically. I really like their game, and I think they'll really benefit from Howland's coaching. So weird to me that people forget how much UCLA wanted the twins just a year ago, but now seem to think they can't play any more.
2) Will Nelson have the shooting ability to make a good impact at power forward? - Anonymous
I'm kind of torn on Nelson. I followed him very closely last year because I was intrigued by his style, but I wonder if he'll have much more of an impact. I could see him scoring in the 10-12 range consistently, but not major numbers, while grabbing 6-8 rebounds. But you're right on his shooting; if he can develop that 10-to-14 foot jumper, he can become a real threat.
3)
Do you honestly think that we'll be a top 15 contender in football in 3 years if we keep going at the pace we're going with Neuheisel and Chow? - Anonymous
Top-15 contender? No. That's a very, very lofty goal. I think there would need to be a huge, huge jump in 2011 - like from my projected 7-6 next year to 9/10 wins in 2011 - to even dream of the top-15. It can happen. All depends on the offensive line. But to be a consistent top-15 football program, that takes a ton of luck and a repeated pattern of success - like a TCU or a Boise State - to really ascend to that level.
4) Seeing what you did of Brian Price, do you think he is the caliber of player to be a top 10 dt in the NFL? - Anonymous
Yes, if he stayed another year. I completely understand leaving, and I'm not saying he shouldn't have left. But I do think he needed another year of seasoning, of domination, and most importantly, of proving to NFL scouts that he could handle the rigors of the game without taking breaks.
5) Do you think the Jaguars utilize Marcedes Lewis as well as they should? - Anonymous
No. I've always thought he could be a star in this league, and I don't think they've ever truly committed to making him a threat. He's been a special talent at every step, I don't think it needed to stop now.
So all the teams in the top 15 got there because a ton of luck? are you sure about that Jon?
Having a good coaching staff and top 10 recruiting classes every year has nothing to do with it, come on Jon quit with the lame replies.
We have out-recruited USC on the O line the last 2 years and we have 4 commits already this year. If we took the last 2 years and this years recruiting class so far, there is not 1 Pac 10 team that has recruited O line as well as UCLA.
can we stop talking about suc, How bout we first try to beat Oregon, Cal, UW, AZ, OSU and Stanford on a regular basis first?!?!?!?!????
"But to be a consistent top-15 football program, that takes a ton of luck and a repeated pattern of success - like a TCU or a Boise State - to really ascend to that level."
And a weak schedule;
#5 Boise State - 96th toughest schedule
#4 TCU - 60th toughest schedule
UCLA? - 30th toughest, harder than 14 of the Top 25.
1. Alabama (2)
2. Florida (15)
3. Texas (38)
4. TCU (60)
5. Boise State (96)
6. Ohio State (50)
7. Virginia Tech (13)
8. Cincinnati (44)
9. Iowa (41)
10. Penn State (73)
11. Oregon (6)
12. Georgia Tech (10)
13. LSU (5)
14. Nebraska (52)
15. BYU (61)
16. Pittsburgh (40)
17. Oklahoma (22)
18. Arkansas (12)
19. Mississippi (46)
20. Southern California (19)
21. Miami-Florida (8)
22. Clemson (24)
23. Wisconsin (64)
24. Utah (75)
25. Texas Tech (62)
Until UCLA accepts the 21st century reality of BCS football and starts playing bottom feeders from top conferences, mid-hopefuls from mid-tier conferences, and a 1AA, they will remain in the 30 to 40 rated team range even with 8-4 records.
Obviously they have to win the 'big' games, but they can improve their standings dramatically with an automatic 3-0 non-schedule and a 7-2/6-3 conference.
Intersperse their schedule with the 'tune-ups' and not get pounded week-in, week-out, thus diminishing chances at tough conference foes.
Worried about be considered 'weak'? It doesn't affect the BIG THREE conferenes:
Average schedule strength of the BIG THREE for their Top 25 teams:
Big 10 - 57
Big 12 - 43.5
SEC - 16
The Pac-10 suckers = 12.5
Wake-up UCLA and Pac-10, especially when you become the Pac-12. Start 'competing' with reality.
Wear twins can practice with the team. Doesn't that mean some impact on the team this year?
To say that we cant be a top 15 contender in 3 years just shows a lack of knowledge about football. Things are tougher now because our best players are young and we have had a little bad luck on the Oline. If we continue to recruit the way we have over the last 3 years we will be consistent top 15 team because we will have top 15 talent. It is about talent. Both CRN and CNC have coached winners in the past. Teams move it up to the next level all the time. To say the school with the most NCAA championships, that has great academics and location, and has recruited extremely well cant be a top 15 team over time is a bit whacky. Maybe you should find something else to write about since your analysis of the Bruins is almost always a no hope scenario.
Sag, I disagree.
A team needs to build a good reputation against solid out of conference teams. Once solidified then the team can move on to bottom feeders and coast on reputation.
But before a team even focuses on national recognition they should win in their own (Pac-10) backyard. By that I mean beating the Ducks, Trojan, Bears etc. on a regular basis and playing games in the Rose Bowl in January.